Dear awilhelm,

Thanks for your post.

My thoughts are as follows:

1) You should not use your father as a reference. This will have no value in the admissions process and will show questionable judgment on your part. The adcom will not take his letter seriously at all.

2) Many entrepreneurs or family-business candidates are faced with a similar challenge when it comes to selecting recommenders. The key is to find objective outsiders who can comment on your skills. That could be your firm's lawyer or accountant, recent clients or venture partners, etc. You might also look to prior jobs you have held to get a letter - if you worked elsewhere prior to launching this venture with your father.

Best of luck,

Graham